Identification & Assessment of ADCPart - III

HUMAN-WILDLIFE CONFLICTS - Althoff LEC-06

MAMMAL DAMAGE IDENTIFICATION

• Carnivores and other predators

• Feral Hogs

Badgers Bears Bobcat & LynxCoyotes Wolves DogsFoxes Hogs Mt. lionsOpossums Raccoons SkunksWeasels Mink Domestic cats

PREDATOR MAMMAL Damage - Overview

• Indirect Evidence:a) facts observed from carcass remains

b) blood on soil and vegetationc) predator tracks in vicinity of dead

animal d) carnivore scat/droppings e) carnivores

observed/known to be present in area f) disappearance of young or small livestock

g) unusual livestock behaviori) history of predation in the area

PREDATOR MAMMAL Damage - Overview

• Direct Evidence:a) predators observed pursuing/attacking animals

b) external physical injury and hemorrhagec) subcutaneous hemorrhage and

tooth marks d) damage to skin and other soft tissues e) carnivores observed/known to be present in area f) damage to skull and other bones

• #1 procedural step: skin the carcass!!!!

Calf or Limb: Alive or Dead – Predator or Scavenger?

• If born alive …and it stood for a while or longer, hooves of calves and lambs will lack the membrane covering the soles (aka hooves) and likely be worn some. Dirt on the hooves is positive evidence young as born alive. Milk in stomach indicates it was alive (i.e., nursed). Lungs will be light colored vs. dark scarlet colored if stillborn.

• If stillborn …no dirt on hooves, membrane covering soles still completely present. Lungs dark scarlet colored

21/4-3”

4”

wolf

red fox large dog

coyote

2”

TRACKID Keys….

• Front or hind foot track?

• Width/length of track?

• Spread ?• Toe pad shape?• Heal pad shape?• Claw marks

present?

>4”

Length measurements shown for “typical”adult-sized individuals

21/4-3”

wolf

TRACKID challenges

• Front vs. back• Heel pad

“variation”

Coyote

Left front Left hind

vs.

wolf

Coyote

Left front Left hind

vs.

Right front Right hind

Mt. Lion

Source: OH Div. of Wildlife

F = front footH = hind foot

Guide to MAMMAL TRACKS

1 1/2” – 2 1/4”

Coyote

Typical canine-tooth puncture wound “widths”

Mt. Lion

1 1/8” – 1 3/8”

Red Fox

Bite Marks/Kill Evidence on Carcass

• Mt. Lion

• Coyote

• Red fox

• Dog

Bite to top of head or neck, broken neck common

Typically bite throat just behind jaw and below ear. Begin feeding in thoracic area

Throat of kids and lambs; sometimesmultiple bites to back, head & neck. Feed on viscera via entry behind ribs

Indiscriminate mutilation—head, neck, back, rump, etc.

Feral Hogs

1981

Since 1981

Development of the idealHOG for hunting.

Wild hog expansion:

• Illegal introduction for sport hunting

• Dispersal from existing wild populations

• Escapes from hunting preserves

• Escapes from domestic producers

nest

nest

Feeding in picked cornfield

Wallow edge of pond

rooting